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Infinite Mage Chapter 11: First Step Toward a Dream (4)

Chapter 11: First Step Toward a Dream (4)

Hey,​‌ Shirone! Didnt you⁠⁠​ say you finished⁠⁠ your work? Why⁠‌ are you still‌ here?

As‍‌‌ he opened the‍ door, Rian fanned⁠ his hands and​ coughed due to⁠⁠ the dust.

Shirone‌ just smiled.

Whats​‌​ the meaning behind​ that expression? Something‌ good happen?

Rian,​ show me around​⁠ your house.

Huh?‌‌ What?

Rians​​‍ eyes swung wide​ open with shock.‍‌

He⁠‍​ wanted to enter‍⁠⁠ his familys house.⁠ Knowing Shirone, Rian‍⁠ was sure he‍ wasnt kidding.

At‍ that moment, Rian‌⁠‌ found a book​⁠ lying next to‍ Shirone.

You‍ are done, arent​ you?

Yeah,​‌​ theres nothing left​ for me to⁠ read. At least⁠‍‍ not in this⁠ library.

There‍​ was nothing more​⁠ to read.

Even‌ Rian, who stayed⁠​⁠ away from reading,⁠‍ seemed to understand⁠ how cool that‌⁠ sounded.

Really?​‍

The⁠‌ sunlight that shone‌​ through the window⁠‍ seemed to be‍ just for this‍‍⁠ moment.

Hahaha!‍​ Did you really?‌‌ Youre a real‍‌ piece of work,⁠​‍ dude!

Rian‌⁠ congratulated Shirone as‍ if sharing in⁠⁠ his friends accomplishment.⁠​

Though,⁠‌ he did it⁠‍​ as the aggressive‍⁠ swordsman he was,⁠⁠‌ and due to⁠ that, Shirones eyes‌ went in circles.‌⁠

Ahh!⁠ Im dizzy!

Even​‌ after pushing him‍​⁠ away, Rian watched‌‍‌ Shirone turn in‍‍⁠ circles.

Hes‌⁠ an amazing guy!‍⁠

He⁠ felt like he‍‌‌ finally understood Shirone.​​

Knowing‌ who Shirone was‌​​ and despite his‍ background and status,‍ Rian was only​‍ thankful.

Honestly,⁠⁠‍ I would have‍ been quite upset‌​ if he had​ treated me as‌​‌ a Lords son.⁠

Rian⁠⁠‌ agreed without hesitation.‍

Good!⁠ If you want‍‌​ to come to‍‍⁠ my house, youre⁠ always welcome! My​⁠ family isnt at‍ home either!

It‍‌‌ didnt really matter⁠​ to him, but⁠‌​ it was much⁠ better for Shirone.‍

After​ arriving at the⁠‍ mansion, Shirone was‌ overwhelmed by the⁠ size of the‍⁠​ building.

Its‌‍ really big.

He​⁠ could guess why‌ ancient people built‍​​ buildings to honor‌​​ the glory of⁠ God.

Come‌​ on in.

However,‍ Rian, who lived‍‌ in said house,‍‍‌ pushed the door‌ open using his‌ shoulder as if⁠ he were too‌ lazy to even‍ open the door.​

Shirone⁠ asked with an​⁠ uneasy look.

Rian,‌⁠ what if we‍ get caught?

What​​‍ are you so⁠ worried about? The‍​ library relocation work⁠ is done anyways,⁠ so youre not⁠ tied down by‌ the contract. Besides,​⁠ my family wont‌‍ be back until‌‌ the evening. Alright,‍‍‍ alright, come on.‌

As‌ they went up‍‍‍ to the second⁠‍ floor, Shirones eyes‍​‍ were greeted by​ the countless rooms‌‍ littering the hallway.​‍​

As‍‍ they approached the​​‌ very end of‍‍ the corridor, Shirone⁠​ saw the familys​⁠⁠ room.

Although​ there was no​ special decoration like⁠‍⁠ a family crest,⁠​‍ the interior was​‌ especially pink.

Instead⁠​​ of swords and​​ shields, piano and⁠ unknown instruments were‌‍‍ on display.

From‌ the musical instruments‍​ littering the room,‌​​ Shirone could tell⁠ It was the⁠⁠ eldest daughters room.​

The​ number of rooms‌​‌ were overflowing, so‌⁠ there would have‍‍ been many options,‍ but Rian decided‌⁠ on the last‌⁠ room.

Shirone⁠‌ felt like he‌‌ had seen a side of the‌ alienation Rian must‌ feel despite being‍​‌ part of the​‌ family.

Well,​ here it is.‍‍ This is my‍‌​ room.

As⁠ a passionate swordsman,​‍⁠ wooden swords were‌‍ piled up in‍ the room and‌‌‌ books related to⁠‍ swordsmanship were also⁠⁠​ visible on the‌⁠ bookshelf.

However,⁠ there were no⁠ professional books. Most⁠⁠‍ of them were⁠ novels about myths.‌

I wanted to come​‍ here at least​‌ once!

Thought⁠‍ Shirone, as he⁠ considered Rian a friend.

Rooms⁠⁠‍ were said to‍⁠‍ represent a persons‍​‌ character. And that‌⁠​ saying was not‌ incorrect.

He⁠ really has no​⁠ interest in decorating‍​ at all!

For⁠‍ Rian, who was‌ always covered in‍⁠‌ dust, this place‌‍⁠ seemed meaningless except‌‌‌ for when he​ wanted to sleep.‌​​

The‌‌ two chatted away‍⁠‌ because they had​ nothing to do.‌⁠‌ But when that‍​‌ got boring as⁠‍ well, they played​⁠ a card game.⁠​⁠

The‍ game ended in​⁠ just 30 minutes.⁠​‌

It‌ was a complete‍ defeat for Rian.‌⁠⁠

Shirone⁠ asked while sweeping⁠⁠ the chips.

One⁠ more round?

Im⁠‍‍ not doing it!‌ Damn it. Its‌ a gamble based‍ on luck anyways.⁠⁠‌ I guess Im​​​ just unlucky.

Shirone⁠ spoke again while⁠⁠​ organizing the chips.‍‍⁠

You⁠‍⁠ have a habit‍⁠‌ of moving cards‌ outside when the⁠ ace comes in.⁠ And the time‍‌ you take to⁠ bet is different‌​​ depending on whether​‍⁠ you have a pair. Im guessing‍ the reason why​⁠‍ is because when‌‍‌ you have a pair, youre taking‌⁠ the time to‌⁠ think of a strategy, but when⁠​ you dont have​⁠‍ a pair, you‌​ just give up.⁠‍‌ But if theres‌‌​ a time difference,​ it stands out.​ Just knowing those‌​‌ two things gives⁠‌‌ me the higher‌​​ probability of winning.​‍⁠

Rian⁠⁠‌ had a blank‌ look on his⁠‌ face as if⁠ he had been‌​ cheated.

How⁠⁠⁠ can you find​⁠ such things?

Observation​ often achieves its‍ purpose when you​‍‌ are not obsessively‍‍‌ trying to observe​ forcefully. If you​‌ try to observe⁠‌​ multiple things at‍⁠ once, you will‍ never find what‍ youre looking for.‍ Just appreciate and‌ acknowledge them as⁠‌ a whole. Only‍‌ then will something‌‍‍ stand out.

Rian‍ placed his chin‌ on his hand.​​​

Dont‍‌ be obsessed with⁠‍ what youre trying⁠ to get? Maybe‍⁠⁠ this will help‌‌‍ me find my⁠​‍ own Schema.

Maybe.‌ I took that⁠ into consideration when​ trying to understand⁠ my Spirit Zone.⁠​‌

Hmm.⁠‌ To not be⁠⁠ obsessed

Rian‍‍ echoed Shirones words.‍​

His​‍ brain was itchy.⁠ He felt like‍‌‌ he was close‍‍ to something, but‌‌ the thoughts eluded‌ him.

He​‍ felt sleepy and​ got tired, perhaps⁠​ because he thought⁠ about something deeply​ for the first​‍‍ time in a long time.

Whatever.⁠

Rian‌ stretched out on⁠‍ his back.

I have nothing to​‌ do, so let​ me sleep a little bit. Im⁠‍‌ so tired because‌ I ran 100‌‌⁠ laps this morning.​

Then⁠​‍ get some sleep.⁠ Ill be reading⁠ a book.

Yes,​ yes.

Rian​‍ fell asleep as​ soon as he‍‌‌ closed his eyes.‌

Smiling​ at the sight​​ of his friend‍ who laid down‍​‍ comfortably, Shirone pulled‍ out a novel.​‍

Bloody​​ Fight With the⁠⁠ Snake Queen!

After‍ only reading history‍​‌ books for about⁠‍ a year and‌ a half, he​‍ didnt notice the‌‌ passing time as⁠‌ he read an⁠ adventure story.

On​‍‍ the other hand,‌​‌ it seemed like‌ Rian enjoyed something​⁠‌ quite different from‌​‍ Shirones. Key sentences​‌ were underlined.

The‍ snake queens weakness‌ is her head.​

Hahaha.‍​‍

They​ didnt do much​‍⁠ of anything, but‍ he was happy​ to just be⁠ at his friends‍ house for the‌‍ first time.

An​​ hour passed just‍ like that.

With‌ Rian still not⁠ up, Shirone closed‍‌ the book and‌‌ organized the room.⁠⁠

He​⁠ said his family​‌ was coming back‍ in the evening.‍

When‍⁠‍ the sun goes‌⁠ down, the inside⁠‌⁠ of the manion​‌ will get noisy​

Shirone‍ thought it best​ to leave now.‍⁠

While‍ walking down the‍⁠ hall, Shirone heard‍‌ the sound of‌ a piano leaking‌⁠ out from a room.

For‌‍⁠ him, who had⁠‍ grown up in‍​⁠ the mountains, the​ music filled with​‍‍ the composers inspiration‍ shook his heart‍‍ more strongly than‌‌ thunder.

Thats‌‌ so cool!

Shirone⁠ followed the sound​ as if drunk,‌‌ and stopped in⁠⁠‍ front of Rians​‍⁠ sisters room.

A woman with blue​​ hair that flowed‌ like the ocean​‌⁠ waves was playing​‍‍ the piano.

It​ was truly a heavenly sound.

Although‌‍ not the youngest,​‌​ she was a woman of talent​‍​ who became a court musician at​‍ the age of​‌ 19, so to‍ say she was​ talented was an​‌ understatement.

The​‍ harmony that gradually⁠​⁠ accumulated and the​ variations that blended‍ within.

Shirones⁠​ consciousness abided to‌ Reinas fingertips like‌​​ a marionette caught⁠ in a melody.‌​

And​‌ only after the​‌ performance did Shirone​⁠​ finally realize where⁠ he was.

Perhaps⁠ the emotional whirlwind⁠⁠‍ went on for‌‌ too long as‌⁠​ Reina found Shirone.​​‍ She smiled and‌ waved at him.‌

Hi,⁠‍​ how was it?‌‌⁠ My piano sonata?​‌

How‌ was it?

He‍ learned information about​‌⁠ music through books,​‌​ but what he⁠ heard with his⁠‍ ears was beyond‍⁠ what he had⁠‍​ imagined.

Uhh,‌​ it was

He‌⁠ didn’t dare to⁠ speak his mind.‍‌

Reina‌ patted the piano‌⁠‍ chair and spoke.‍‍

You‍​ can come over‌‌ here and take⁠‌ a look. Ive‌‌ never seen your​⁠ face here before.‍​ Are you a new worker?

Yes.‍⁠ Im in charge‍‌ of sorting out‍‌⁠ the library. Its⁠ been over a year since I joined.

Aah!⁠‌ Youre the one.‍ Ive heard about‌‌⁠ you before. You​ must be very​ smart. Classification work​ cant be done​​ by just anyone.‌⁠⁠

Maybe‌⁠ it was because‌​⁠ she majored in⁠​‍ art, but Reina‌‌​ was not authoritative,‌‍ instead, Shirone felt​ consideration in the‌‌⁠ way she spoke.‍

Entering⁠​⁠ the room awkwardly,​ Shirone hesitated for​ a moment and‍‍⁠ pointed to the‍‍ sheet of music‍​ papers.

This‍ is called sheet​​‍ music, right?

Yes,⁠ its titled In‍ the Dark, which‍⁠ is the third‌ movement of the⁠⁠ piano sonata composed‍‍ by Schreiman. Have‌​‍ you ever played​‍ the piano?

* * *

* * *

No,​ never.

Really?​‍‌ Then sit this⁠ way. Ill teach​‌‌ you. Its not​ a difficult song.‍

Shirone‍​‌ was nervous because‍‌ the inertia of‌‌ working while risking‌ his life under‌ the Ogent name​‍‌ remained.

In‍‌​ particular, he was⁠‍ even more concerned⁠​⁠ because he heard‍‌​ from Rian that​⁠ his sister was​⁠ a wicked witch.‌‌

Its​‍ all right. Nobody⁠ is going to​​​ rebuke you because‍ I allowed it.‍​⁠

Shirone,‍ feeling somewhat relieved,⁠ sat down in‌‍ front of the‌⁠ piano with much‍‍ curiosity.

Now,​ from here, Do,​ Re, Mi

After⁠⁠⁠ hearing the most‌ basic things, Shirone‍‍ pressed the first‍ chord, paying attention‌ to her fingerings.‌​​

Baaam.⁠⁠​

The⁠‍ sound that rippled‌‍⁠ through the heart.‌⁠‍

Feeling​​​ the tension gradually​ dissipating, Shirone continued​ by connecting the‍ sound with a second chord.

Reinas​‍ eyebrows rose.

Wow!​​ You catch on‌ quick! Despite this‍‍ being your first⁠‍⁠ time playing, your​‌​ sight-reading is really‍ good.

To‌ play new music‍​ for the first⁠⁠ time is called‍ sight-reading.

Like‍⁠ how athletic ability​ was more important​‌⁠ than emotions, the‍‌‌ faster the thinking‌​ speed, the better.​⁠​

Reinas‌ compliment made him‍‌‌ feel good, but‍‌ he couldnt move​⁠‌ himself to smile‍‍⁠ while looking at​‍ her eyes.

Shirone,‌‍ who was staring‌‌ at the keys,‍ raised his head‍​ when something came⁠⁠ to mind.

Im⁠​‌ sorry, but

Yes?⁠‌

Can⁠⁠‌ you please play​​‍ it again?

Even​‌​ in their brief⁠‌⁠ encounter, Reina discovered‍​ the unique temperament‍ Shirone had.

He​‍ is an active‍⁠ child!

An⁠⁠ average servant of​‌​ the house would⁠⁠‍ have spent their‍​‍ time currying favor‍⁠ with their masters,‌⁠‍ but Reina could‌‍‌ tell Shirone wasnt‍⁠ like that.

Reina​ readily agreed.

Okay.⁠‍

To‌​⁠ say that artists‌​​ were obsessed with‌​‌ talent is false.​‍⁠ These were just‌​ words made up‍‍ by fake artists.​​‌

Then‍‍ Ill play properly​‍​ this time.

What‌ artists loved the‌‌‍ most was passion.​​​

Reina​‍‍ encored In the​⁠ Dark.

Even⁠‍ to a non-professional‍‌ Shirone, He could⁠ tell it was​ an extraordinary performance⁠‍‌ that was incomparable⁠​ to the first.‌​

Schema.⁠

Her‌ nervous system It​ was twice as‍⁠​ sensitive as the⁠ average person. Shirone‍ could tell she⁠‍ understood her body.​

After‍‌​ her performance, Reina​‍‍ looked satisfied.

On‌​ the other hand,‍⁠ Shirone was lost‍​ in thought with‍​⁠ a serious expression,‍ even after the‌​⁠ music was over.‍‌

Could‌⁠ I try again?​‍

Hmm?⁠⁠⁠ Oh, sure.

Please​ understand even if‍ its difficult to⁠ listen to.

Haha,⁠‌ of course. Its​ like that for‌ everyone at first.‍‍⁠

Shirone‌‌ raised his hands‌​ gently over the‌⁠ keys.

As‌‍ soon as he​ thought his posture‍​ was acceptable, Shirone​‌​ quickly started playing.‍⁠

Reina,​‌ who was listening‍​ to this unspecific​⁠ music, bore an‌‌‍ awkward smile.

However,‌‍⁠ as Shirone was​ midway through, she‌ realized something.

Who​ is this child?‌ What in the⁠⁠ world is he‌ trying to do?⁠

All⁠‍ the notes were‌‌ off. Completely wrong.⁠⁠ But to her‍‍ surprise

All​⁠⁠ the notes were​‍​ similar.

It‍ may not be‍ called music, but​​⁠ it seemed to⁠​ convey Shirones feelings.‌

Whatever‌⁠ hes playing, hes​⁠‌ not doing it​‌ as a performance⁠​​

Reina⁠‌‍ was correct. Shirone‌‍ wasnt trying to‍ perform, instead, he‍⁠ was in the​⁠ process of going‌​ deeper in order‌ to understand the⁠⁠​ concept of playing‌‌ an instrument.

A little more!

Shirone‍​⁠ focused even harder.​‍

Take​⁠‍ in the whole​​‍ music sheet, analyze‍‍ it with your⁠ head, and command‍‌ your ten fingers.⁠

Even‌ in the midst‍ of many different‍⁠ notes, the feeling​​ was getting clearer.​

More,​ more. I need‌ to get closer.‍‌

As⁠⁠ his concentration rose‌ high, the Spirit‌ Zone opened.

Im‍‌ almost there.

Reina‌​‍ swallowed.

Pleasant​‌ chords mingled between​‌⁠ the gritty dissonance.‍‌‌

Dun⁠‍⁠ Dun Dun Dun!​‍

At‌‍‌ the moment when‌‌ the score and‌‌‌ the performance reached‌​‌ its climax, there⁠‌​ was a thrill​⁠​ that shocked Reinas‍‌ body to the‍⁠‌ core.

Shirone‌‌‌ began an authentic‌⁠ cadence.

Its‌‍ here!

Raising‍‍ both his hands,​ Shirone hit the‌ perfect 5th and‌ then pressed upon⁠ the 1st interval‌⁠‍ with the greatest⁠⁠⁠ degree of passion‍

BAAMM!!⁠‍

The‍ harmony, which started​​⁠ 4 minutes ago,‌‌⁠ extinguished into seven​ notes, spreading an​‌ infinite, inexhaustible aftertaste.​‌⁠

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